Search for missing boy to continue

The Pennington County Sheriff's Office, Rapid City Fire Department, South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, Rapid City/Pennington County Water Rescue Team, and Pennington County Search and Rescue met Wednesday to evaluate recovery data. The crews decided to resume recovery operations.

Deerfield Lake will remain closed to boat traffic until further notice.

The Hill City youth was last seen on Memorial Day, when his mother, Lynda Lewis, dropped him off for a kayaking excursion on the lake. His water-filled kayak was found early Tuesday morning. His unbuckled life jacket was found later that day.

Over the past week, the search party has involved more than 200 people, a canine unit from the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, volunteers, volunteer fire departments, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Forest Service and the American Red Cross, according to the sheriff’s office, which is directing the search.